October 1st, 2009
Fred Karger stands as an example of what you can do if you have determination, a moral cause, and the confidence to act on it.
It is Fred who has been leading the boycott against Doug Manchester’s Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Manchester undoubtedly regrets funding the signature collection process for Proposition 8 and he serves as a warning to those who may wish to contribute heavily against efforts to overturn the marriage ban.
Fred also was a significant player in the effort to identify the contributers to Proposition 8, a project that revealed the extent to which the Mormon Church organized, funded, staffed, and controlled the anti-gay marriage campaign. You can be sure that religious institution considers Karger as one of their least favorite people.
And now Fred is taking on Maggie Gallagher and her National Organization for Marriage.
Earlier this year Fred accused NOM of being a front group for the Mormon Church. He provided secret documents illustrating how the church set up other front groups in the past and drew comparisons to NOM. While NOM has denied such a connection, they have illegally refused to provide their tax filings and have retaliated by deposing Fred and demanding every document relating to his efforts.
But Fred is undaunted. He is challenging the way in which anti-gay activists are funding their efforts to block marriage equality in Maine. And, in a hearing today, it is working (Portland Press Herald)
The state ethics commission voted 3-2 today to order an investigation of the fundraising efforts by the National Organization of Marriage, a Washington, D.C.,-based organization that has given money to fight same-sex marriage in Maine.
Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate filed a complaint with the commission saying the group should be required to disclose the names of donors. In response, Brian Brown, executive director of NOM, said they have not raised money specifically for Maine and therefore are not required to report individual donors.
Fred provided solicitations from NOM that seem to clearly illustrate that Brown is lying.
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Richard W. Fitch
October 1st, 2009
Oh, MaggieMoo, this could get ugly — REALLY ugly!
Christopherâ„¢
October 1st, 2009
She already is.
Sorry! Couldn’t resist.
fannie
October 1st, 2009
Given Gallagher’s past behavior, I think an inquiry is reasonable.
Also, not cool to mock her looks. Our side is better than that. Or, we should be.
Ben in Oakland
October 1st, 2009
Bravo to Fred.
Meanwhile, a Catholic bishop in Canada was stopped at the border with child porn on his computer.
It’s all because the gays are getting married. Anyone got the goods on the archbishop of Portland?
Regan DuCasse
October 1st, 2009
Brown and Gallagher are Catholics. And some Catholic Churches have engaged their congregants similarly to the way the Mormon Church has.
To make donations directly into the coffers of anti gay organizations. That way these churches can’t be accused of politicking with their own money.
However, I thought it was against the law to engage in religious politicking that TOOK AWAY rights available to everyone.
In the case of black churches and the Civil Rights movement, these institutions engaged in EXPANDING rights for those who were traditionally disenfranchised from equal rights and protection.
How can ANY church, protected by the Constitution, legally engage in activity that takes rights away or continues traditional disenfranchisement of productive and compassionate citizens that ALSO participate in their respective religions too?
Especially when it comes to the Constitution and it’s intents and purposes, which is essentially NOT to discriminate.
cowboy
October 1st, 2009
eeewe…Nasty. Just a week ago NOM subpoenaed Mr. Karger’s e-mails. Was this a desperate tactic to divert attention from something really hot?
I’m hoping some Mormon with a guilty conscience will leak some internal memo. Could it be Mr. Holland who quit the NOM board and was replaced by O. Scott Card.
Politics, especially when it involves religious groups, is not for the thin-skinned.
Richard Rush
October 1st, 2009
There is a quote inside this BTB post that refers to NOM as “…a Washington, D.C.,-based organization…” But NOM’s website lists their location as “20 Nassau Street, Suite 242, Princeton, NJ 08542,” and their phone number has a 609 area code which is in New Jersey. And they also list a “Processing Center” at “P.O. Box 28925 Philadelphia, PA 19151-9900.”
In the big picture, this probably doesn’t matter, but shouldn’t such basic issues of fact be accurate? Or does this discrepancy indicate that NOM is a “front group” for another outfit that prefers to remain hidden?
Jim Burroway
October 1st, 2009
NOM has moved their headquarters to D.C. I don’t know why they haven’t maybe because the move isn’t complete. Or maybe updating their web site is just one more thing they haven’t been very vigilant about. Who knows?
Johnson
October 2nd, 2009
NOM is feeling the Heat, thanks to Karger, and People are onto their scheme. Bravo!
Eddie89
October 2nd, 2009
Anyone know if Fred Karger has a website?
I would like to donate some money to him so he can continue his excellent work!
He’s certainly making more progress for equality than ANY of the major “equality” groups, e.g. HRC, EQCA, etc.
Bravo, Fred Karger!
Bravo!!
Timothy Kincaid
October 5th, 2009
Eddie,
You can contribute to help Fred here.
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